As everybody is aware about the Indian Railways, it is the world’s longest rail network. Being Indian i feel proud for it, but after today’s experience, i am confused “????”
I usually travel in the express/superfast trains, as my dad’s working in railway, so he gets a free pass. But today was not my day, i can say. All the family members have to attend a function at Baroda. They left in the early morning in the express train, but told me to come late, as it was of no use of me reaching early. So they told me to travel by passenger train (MEMU). I was happy as i had no restrictions, and can travel freely. Train was at 10am, so thought that reaching at 9:40am and taking the ticket would be better. I worked according to my plan. But what am i seeing reaching there, a long long long line for ticket as it was a festive season (The next day was RAKSHABANDHAN). My eyes were widened, as i have never seen such a rush ever in my life. I thought that if i stand here and wait for my turn, i would miss my train. Thoughts came to travel without ticket, but how can a boy of a railway personnel break the rule. Suddenly my eyes went to a shop opposite to railway station, which was selling tickets but with 1Re commission. There too was rush but not that much, so i decided to get my tickets from there.
All was set. Ticket was taken. Now comes the most boring period. Waiting for the train. I hate that. Even it was announced that train is going to reach in few minutes, it wasn’t coming. Slowly slowly the platform was getting filled with more and more people. I thought from inside that today was going to be a very memorable experience. After 15 minutes of wait, the train arrived. As the coaches passed, my heartbeat increased, as there was hardly a inch for standing. I decided not to hurry and will enter at last. But I was not knowing that there were many people who were thinking the same. So as soon as the signal was given me along with some people entered the coach. Well i managed somehow to get in to. Others were partly hanging outside. Now i was standing on my one leg. It seemed that someone has given me a punishment and i have to bear it. Train started and i could not move an inch. All was packed. (At that time i thought of the Mumbaikars who are facing such situations daily in subarbans.) My travel was hardly 40 kms. But as it was a passenger train, it was taking halt at every stop. On the first two stops (VADOD and ADAS), i hardly seen anyone leaving or entering the coach. So hoping that you will get a place to at least free yourself for sometime was in vain. On the third stop (VASAD), one or two people moved out of the coaches, but nine to ten more people took the courage to enter the hecky coach. (BRAVE INDIANS!!). Then i heard of some noise of dalwala. He was shouting “KHATI MEETHI DAL LE LO”. I was thinking that here we are hardly moving an inch, how has he travelled from the coaches behind and reached here, really brave!!! He was making a good business here, as almost 20-25 people bought his dal. And still he was expecting more, so he asked whether anyone has left. Well that made some atmosphere of humour, nice guy.
Then comes the most exciting part of my journey, the Bridge across the Mahi river. I always like to watch river from the train. This Bridge was built during the British rule and it is said that it is one of the strongest bridge which will sustain for at least 100 years!!!(Live long Engineers) The river water was stagnant, and was polluted by some residents living around. Some religious people bowed towards the river and some also dropped the coins in it. Suddenly there was a noise of a woman singing some gujarati song. I could hardly understood it. I thought that these people are really better singer than those in the reality shows. She was also making her way through the crowd. Some felt pity on her and gave her some rupees.
I was enjoying every moment, but as it is said God has written something else for you. Suddenly i started feeling like nausea. Everything around me was roaming round and round. My head started bursting like anything. I felt that soon i am going to be unconscious. I tried to control myself, I kept my eyes closed and was praying GOD to please release this tension for now. Well, GOD did listen and soon my body was in my control, but he gave me good headache, which was again unbearable but it was better than feeling unconscious. Soon i reached my destination. It was feeling quite good when i landed on platform. Half of the people exited from the train, but more of then entered.
That’s all, this is the experience of my life which i will never forget. My head is still paining, but i have taken medicine. Please comment here and share your experience if u have ever been in such a situation.
